Iraq: probe determines British bomb detection device works, will not be pulled from service
By APTuesday, February 23, 2010
Iraq: bomb-detecting wands to be kept in service
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s government spokesman says Baghdad will not pull a scandal-ridden bomb detection device from service, saying an investigation has determined the wand-like instruments work.
Exports of the British-made bomb-hunting instruments have been banned by Britain amid concerns that they do not work. The U.S. military also says they are ineffective.
But Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement Tuesday that an Iraqi investigation has determined that most of the devices do work. The instruments are used at checkpoints to check for bombs.
He says some of the hand-held devices are broken or were not activated and will be replaced.
The instruments’ effectiveness came into question after a string of major bombings in central Baghdad killed scores.
